Saturday, February 5, 2011

Our last report of the evening comes in from San Joaquin valley of California where the Sun Maid Kennel Club Of Fresno is giving us two shows this weekend. Day one featured judge Betty Stites’ final with the Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette's LifeInTheFastLane, the Afghan Hound, GCH CH Mahali Arriva Meadowlark, the Akita CH C And L’s Mojo Thrill of the Hunt Day, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Friendship Hill Stars and Stripes, the Pug, CH Pip's Pipa Boo, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Brighton Lakeridge Encore, and the Rough Collie, CH Clarion's Ribbon in the Sky.

Her BIS was the Poodle, Ally. Ally has been at multiple big number venues already this year, assuring her a spot at the top of the rankings as we enter the all important Westminster Week. This is her second BIS this year.

Here in the Mid South, dog fanciers are gathered in Pine Bluff AR for two days with the Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club. Today BIS was judged by Toddie Clark who chose her best from the Clumber Spaniel CH Nexus Dark Horse, the Borzoi, GCH CH Borchis AmrasNumenesse SC, the Sanoyed, CH Snowsongs Sno Of Snolake, the Cairn Terrier, CH Cairnforyou Start Spreadin The News, the Maltese, GCH CH Ta-Jon’s Just Bee-Ing Silly, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Chaoyang Best of My Love At Asia, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Hearthside Leave A Message.

Day one went to the Maltese, Justine. Justine has now logged nine shows in 2011, winning three BIS and all nine Toy Groups. If you are in the New York metro area, run, don’t walk to next Friday’s Progressive Dog Club show at the New York Hotel Pennsylvania to see the great crop of Toy Dogs we have this season.

The Hobbs New Mexico Kennel Club threw a big party in the little town of Hobbs NM this week. Arlene Davis topped off day one with her final of the German Shorthaired Pointer, GCH CH Country Wind Lord Of The Manor JH, the Whippet, GCH CH Sporting Field’s Bahama Sands, the Great Dane, CH Don-Lu’s Don’t Tell Me No V Concorde, the Parson Russell Terrier, CH Stonebrook 'sAcademy Award, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, CH Wind Ridge Hills Mystic Marada, the Chinese Shar-Pei, CH Tabirds Sir Isaac Newton, and the Australia Cattle Dog, GCH CH Duwest Jackrabbit .

Her BIS was the Whippet, Tawny. Tawny has been quick out of the gate this year winning six BIS so far. Yes, the next ten days are going to be real interesting.

We sadly report that the Tibetan Mastiff, GCH CH Seng Khri Bartok Of Dawa, has died. Bart succumbed Wednesday night to meningitis caused by a rare fungus, cryptococcus gatti. We first met Bart at the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. We were simply awe struck by the giant red dog. We have written about how our dog show memory is a collection of moments frozen in time that are as vivid to us as a Sports Illustrated cover. Our first meeting with Bart was such a moment.

Bart and handler Ed Thomason went on to take a Working Group Two in Long Beach. Bart and Ed would carry that momentum into 2010 winning nine all breed Bests In Show and 20 Working groups, finishing the year as the Number Six Working Dog and the Number One Tibetan Mastiff of all time. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Bart and Ed traveled from coast to coast, showing in all parts of the US, no easy feat for such a massive dog. We sincerely hope you had an opportunity to see this magnificent dog for we can’t promise you that there will be another like him.

We thank Ed, breeder Eva Marton, and owners Zane Smith, Dan Nechemias, & Lois Claus, for sharing this special animal with all of us these past two years. Our sincere condolences. He will not be forgotten.

Friday, February 4, 2011

It’s not even the weekend yet and it is already day three in Wildwood NJ where the day two show of the Sand And Sea Kennel Club ended with Mrs Terry DiPietro’s final. Her seven options were the Pointer, GCH CH Tahari's Too Wild To Be Serious, the Borzoi, GCH CH Phaedra Dmetrii Ex Libris JC, the Boxer, CH Mahogany Will O’ the Wisp, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, the Xoloitzcuintli, Bayshore Giorgio Armani, and yesterday’s BIS winner the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins.

She chose the Pointer, Josh. It’s the fist all breed BIS for Josh, winner of the 2010 American Pointer Club National Specialty and the Number One Pointer in 2010 (breed points). Congratulations to breeders Frank De Paulo & John Mohr and owners Linda Cayton, Deeann Ying, & Frank Depaulo.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

He was delayed a day by bad weather in getting to Wildwood NJ, but the Bearded Collie, GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins, made up for lost time by taking the BIS at today’s Sand And Sea Kennel Club show under judge Don Evans. Challenging Roy for the win were the Vizsla, GCH CH Artisan Grouse Point Pink Panther JH, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, GCH CH Celestial CJ’s Hearts On Fire, the Bernese Mountain Dog, GCH CH Blumoon's Tanzenite V Blackrock CD, day one BIS winner the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, and a Xoloitzcuintli from the 9-12 Puppy Dog class, Bayshore Georgio Armani. Roy and handler Cliff Steele almost made it into the Top Ten Dogs All Breeds this week. Looks like they intend to get there by the weekend.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

With much of the country being buffeted by blizzards, we applaud the brave souls who made it today’s Union Country Kennel Club show, the opener of the five show week on the boardwalk in Wildwood NJ. The seven survivors who made it to Dr Jon Ioia‘s final were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise Signature Of Telltale CD RN, the Norwegian Elkhound, GCH CH Somerri Dunharrow’s Devil Ray, Bernese Mountain Dog, CH Blumoon's Tanzenite v Blackrock, the Scottish Terrier, GCH CH Lomondview Clementina, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Unique Jewel Of The Crown, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Wise Choice Geliato.

BIS went to the Scottie, Phoebe. Phoebe was only shown sparingly in 2010, but collected big wins including a Group placement at the Terrier version of the Super Bowl, the Montgomery County Kennel Club show, and BIS at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia in November. Congratulations to breeder Carol Annan, owners John & Daphne Eggert, and handler Ernesto Lara.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

As many fanciers focus their attention on the impending Westminster Kennel Club show, there are fewer venues this week than last. If you are going to a show this weekend you will have to choose among just seven sites in the US. The real problem is will the weather let you get there?

If you prefer Snoopy to Snooki, visit the Jersey Shore starting tomorrow for five days on the beach in Wildwood NJ with the Union County Kennel Club, the Sand And Sea Kennel Club & the Boardwalk Kennel Club. The weather is a little better in Atlanta GA where the Sawnee Mountain Kennel Club Of Georgia, the Conyers Kennel Club Of Georgia, and Lawrenceville Kennel Club will team for three starting Friday. However, if you want to avoid bad weather entirely try the Lost Dutchman Kennel Club & the Sahuaro State Kennel Club four shows beginning Friday. They will even sweeten the deal by throwing in two limited breed shows on Thursday, the Sporting Dog Association Of Arizona & the Arizona Toy Dog Fanciers.

Those of you lucky enough to have steady employment can take in the traditional two day weekends with the St. Joseph Kennel Club in St Joseph MO, the Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club in Pine Bluff AR, the Hobbs New Mexico Kennel Club in Hobbs NM, or with the Sun Maid Kennel Club Of Fresno in Fresno CA. Come on, what’s a little weather compared to a day at a dog show?

A little less than 200 miles west of Dallas is Abilene TX, the site of this weekend’s Abilene Kennel Club’s two shows. Day one ended with Dr J Donald Jones’ final of the Field Spaniel, CH Killara's Grand Idea RN, the Bloodhound, GCH CH Heather's A Little Night Music, the Doberman Pinscher, CH Horizon's Evangeline, the Miniature Bull Terrier, CH Evolution's Educated At Silmaril, the Pug, GCH CH Kirby's Talk About Hot!, the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Chaoyang Chick Magnet At Asia, and the Rough Collie, GCH CH Gentry's Braveheart.

His BIS was the Doberman, Carrera. It’s the first Best In Show for Carrera, the latest Doberman BIS winner from and breeder/owner/handler Linda George. Congratulations to Linda, co-breeders Rick George & Barbara Abrams and co-owners Roy & Janice Keith.

GCH CH Gentry‘s Braveheart(Photo by Kohler)

Five of Saturday’s finalists were back to see BIS judge Bart Miller with the Irish Setter, GCH Herihunda's Table For One and the Wire Fox Terrier, CH Dalriada's Sir Robert Peel joining the others. Best In Show was the Collie, Ivan, making him the winningest male Rough Collie in history with 12 all breed Best In Show. Ivan will make a couple of more specialty appearances, but will now concentrate on passing along his top winning form to his off spring. Congratulations to breeders Patsy Gordon & Darlene Tyler Zabelle, owners Patsy Gordon, Dr Gerard Nash & Laurie Jeff Greer, and handler Laurie Jeff Greer

We understand that the Onofrio Oklahoma Office is closed today because of the weather, but happily we had a generous reader on site this weekend in Alexandria LA for the Alexandria Kennel Club’s two shows. On Saturday James Fredericksen chose his BIS from the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Brookwood Diamond In The Ruff, the Saluki, DC Shahtani Ivory Moon SC, the Giant Schnauzer, GCH CH Sonnenschien River Chase, the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Alpine's Ring of Fire, the Papillon, CH Copella's Rising Attraction, the Bichon Frise, GCH CH Saks Hamelot Little Drummer Boy, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, GCH CH Twinroc Santa Paws.

His Best was the Cocker, Misty. It’s the first for Misty and handler Shelby Roberts. Congratulations to Shelby, breeder Tina Blue, and owner Beverly Warren.

GCH DC Shahtani Ivory Moon SC

Sunday Misty, the abovenamed Saluki, Giant, & AmStaff, were joined in Ken Buxton’s final by the Affenpinscher, GCH CH Tamagotchi Vom Rechsgraf Zu Herrenheim (and, no, we didn’t make that one up), the Standard Poodle, CH Hanna’s dam Inge Fair Sun, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Winsome's Love Remembers. His BIS was the Saluki, Jayda. Jayda won four all breed BIS and 22 Hound Groups in 2010, more than any other Saluki. Congratulations to breeder Nancy Bodine, owner Lori May, and handler Gerry L Thornton.

The St Charles Missouri Kennel Club set up show for two days this weekend in Lake St Louis MO. Day one ended with Arley Hussin considering the seven of the German Wirehaired Pointer, CH Drakkars RLB Celtic Private Eye, the Whippet, GCH CH Starlines Chanel, the Kuvasz. GCH CH Szumerias Wildwood Silver Six Pence, the Kerry Blue Terrier, CH Alainn Dugan, the Pekingese. CH Windemeres Different Shade Of White, the French Bulldog, Shadowland The Essential Elliot, and the German Shepherd Dog, CH Todorhaus Harvest Moon V Bmeer. Day one BIS went to the Kerry, Dugan. Congratulations to Sandra & Charles Redmon, owners George Geoghegan & Barbara Geoghegan. And handler Leonardo Garcini.

GCH CH Szumerias Wildwood Silver Six Pence

Six of Saturday’s finalist would be back to see James White on day two, with the Tibetan Spaniel, GCH CH Wassongs Jay Trump, making his first appearance of the weekend. BIS went to the Kuvasz, Tanner. Tanner is the only Kuvazs to win an all breed BIS since his half sister, CH Szumeria's Wildwood Penny from Heaven CD RE NJP TT, did so in 2006. Tanner finished 2010 with five all breed BIS and 23 Working Group Firsts last year. Congratulations to breeders Beatrice Page, Clay Page, Lynn Brady, & Constance Townsend, owners Mercedes Vila, Lynn Brady, Constance Townsend, & Claudia Muir, and handler Diana Wilson.

It’s day two of our winter cold and all we can think about is Jack LaLanne just died of a winter cold. Then our dogs remind us that they still have to be fed and still have to go out and we start to believe that we will survive the cold long enough to finish our reports left over from the weekend.

Her BIS was the little dog with big show presence, the Chihuahua, DeeDee, DeeDee was the Number Six Toy Dog in 2010and now has two BIS this year.

CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova

Sunday in Grayslake it was the Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club hosting and Ken Murray judging BIS. He saw five of Saturday’s finalists with the English Springer Spaniel, CH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova, the White Bull Terrier, CH Imperials Truth Hurts being the newcomers, He chose the three year old Springer, Peyton. We don’t know much about this one, except that he was shown to the win by Springer specialist Robin Novack. Congratulations to Robin, breeders Billie, Erin, & Charlie Kerfoot &amp Ruth Kirby, and owners Celie Florence, Beth Fink, Erin Kerfoot, PhD, Ken Goodhue-McWilliams, PhD, & Delores Streng.

Monday, January 31, 2011

A nasty winter cold has prevented us from an earlier start of the Monday Morning Mop Up. We thank all the generous exhibitors out there that took the time to get us results. Official records still have not provided a complete summary of the weekend, but we do now know that BIS at the Middle Peninsula Kennel Club Of Virginia’s Saturday event was judged by William Potter. He chose his Best from the Black Cocker Spaniel, GCH CH Casablanca’s Thrilling Seduction, the American Foxhound, GCH CH Kiarry’s Walkin On Sunshine, the Rottweiler, GCH CH D’Oro Solidos Feliciano Uno, the American Staffordshire Terrier, CH Castle Rock’s SBigStaff Mad About You, the Toy Poodle, GCH CH Smash Jp Moon Walk, the Miniature Poodle, CH Surrey Sugar Baby, and the Old English Sheepdog, CH Masquerade Mikey Likes It.

Sunday Maxine Beam saw Maddy, the same Cocker & Rott, the 15” Beagle, CH Torquay Be Nice To Me, the Pekingese, GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy, the Dalmatian, CH Spotlights Ruffian, and the Bouvier des Flandres, GCH CH Brimar’s Always Mandrake HT. Her BIS was the Cocker, Beckham. It’s Beckham’s third BIS of the new season and will put him back on top of the early rankings.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Golden Gate Kennel Club closed their annual party at the legendary Cow Palace just South of San Francisco with Suzanne Dillin doing BIS. Her options were the Weimaraner, GCH CH Silhouette’s LifeInTheFastLane, the Irish Wolfhound, GCH CH Mysham Edoc’Sil Of Redwall, the Boxer, Conquest-Rosend‘s new Kid In Town, the Welsh Terrier, CH Bruhill’s First Lady, the Brussels Griffom, GCH CH Cashnross’ First Griff Tina Fey, the French Bulldog, CH Lebull’s New Hope Wooly Bully, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Segni At Coventry.

She chose the Weimaraner, Jimmie. Jimmie was 2010’s Number one Weimaraner with five BIS and 34 Sporting Groups. Congratulations to breeders/owners Cindy & Bruce Cassidy and handler Keith Pautz.

It seems the magic phrase of the day is back2back BIS. The Bearded Collie, GCH CH Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins, has duplicated his win of yesterday, taking the top prize at the day two show of the Erie Kennel Club under breeder judge Joe Holava. On hand to watch Roy and handler Cliff Steele pick up career BIS number 51, a breed record, were the Field Spaniel, GCH CH Tamarack’s Race You To Calico, the 15“ Beagle, GCH CH Lanrigg Star Of The Stage, the Siberian Husky, GCH CH Kontoki’s A Bend In The Road, the Lakeland Terrier, GCH CH Tallydale’s Friend Of The Force, the Pomeranian, Cottontop N Weewyn‘s Taking A Chance At Sirius EC‘s, and the Chinese Shar-Pei, GCH CH Chaoyangs Take It to The Limits. We will wait for the rest of this weekend’s numbers to see how far up the rankings Roy climbs.

We have another back2back BIS to report. Judge Ruth Zimmerman chose the Brittany, GCH CH Shelttany's Against All Odds, as her Best In Show at the day two of the Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Association. Rounding out the final were the Longhaired Dachshund, GCH CH Vongay’s it’s A Wrap SL, the Giant Schnauzer, GCH CH Seven Seas Auroras Adonis, the Smooth Fox Terrier, GCH CH Waybrook Broxden Turning Tanner, the Papillon, CH Wildfire On The Verge, the Standard Poodle, GCH CH Dacun Kaylen’s He’s A Heartbreaker, and the Australian Shepherd, CH Skyecove's Out & About . That’s two this month for Chance and handler Phil Booth. Looks like the field is getting very crowded.

Six of Saturday’s finalists from the Charleston Kennel Club’s day one show were back today to see BIS judge Joe Gregory in the CKC’s day two show, with only the Working Group having a new representative. The lucky seven were the English Springer Spaniel, GCH CH Cerise Tender Is The Night, the Greyhound, GCH CH GrandCru Clos Erasmus, the Boxer, CH Sandy Hill’s Senorita Lolita , the Australian Terrier, GCH CH Kambara’s Zebulon, the Pug, GCH CH Caper's Sirius Endeavor, the Bulldog, GCH CH Hertherbull Topline O-O, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Dalarno Nite Song At Morningstar.

It was the Pug, Rufus, picking up the back2back Best In Show. Rufus and handler Linda Rowell now have two BIS for the year and add some drama to our already packed field of BIS winners.

NUMBER EIGHT

NUMBER NINE

NUMBER TEN

SHOW INFO

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The author has been attending dog shows as a spectator and exhibitor for over 45 years. He is a retired management consultant who has advised multiple organizations affiliated with the AKC and the Cat Fanciers Association on business management, long range planning, customer service, and legislative matters. After 25 years of living in the big cities of New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, he now resides in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

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